Michael Miltenberger

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my understanding is that we are just waiting for some final confirmation from the community member that was on the committee, at which point we would be able to build the next steps into the planning processes. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As a department of this government, we follow the contracting guidelines that are there for all government departments to follow. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Before the end of session. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the important first step is almost complete, which is to finally have a comprehensive plan for the facility which also includes, as I indicated, a review of the acuity levels of all of the elders in the Sahtu region. When we get the final agreement in terms of the options, then we can determine the costs. Based on that, we can see how fast we can move on that part of the six-unit piece. I know the Housing Corporation is very interested and is willing to be, and has been, a partner in this project from the start. We are going to work together to move on...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there has been a working group comprised of officials from the department and from the Sahtu region, as well as a community member from Deline, looking at the best use for this facility. Initially, there was a thought and suggestion that we should be looking at a long-term care facility. What has come out of the work that has been done there are a number of things. Firstly, in order to get a better assessment of the level of need among the elders, they did a thorough review in the region of every elder and their acuity level, which came back with...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We have some arrangements with some organizations and businesses in the Northwest Territories. I will make sure that we have a comprehensive reply for the Member by the end of session.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as a system, we are doing a number of things. We have added nurse practitioners; we have added midwives; we are going to look at trying to improve and upgrade the licensed practical nurses that we do have to give them a greater scope of practice; and we are going to work with the doctors with whom we have a long-term agreement that goes to 2008. But the Member raises a very good point. We are always looking at ways to improve how we do business, and we are going to be looking seriously with the doctors at ways to maximize performance and deal with the...

Yes, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am aware of a number of proposals, some related to the Salvation Army and their plan to build an addition. The specific project the Member references is not clear enough for me to know if that’s the same one. If there is another one, then I am unaware of it. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to speak today about the significant progress that has been made to incorporate midwifery services into the NWT health system.

Midwives work with women and their families, before, during and after birth to keep them and their babies healthy. Midwifery care is women-centred, family-centred, and responds to the unique strengths and needs of each woman and her family, and honours traditional and cultural birth practices. Midwives monitor the physical, psychological and social well-being of the mother throughout the childbearing cycle into infancy.

In...